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Church councils and not God have formulated the creeds of...
Medford (Ore.) Mail Tribune
Church councils and not God have formulated the creeds of the ages, and men still regard such statements of belief with sacred awe. With such a history, such divergence of opinion as to the interpretation of the Scriptures, and disagreement even on the essential things of life, why should there not be more tolerance, more charity one toward the other. What right has any church or minister, confronted as we all are with mental limitations, to denounce, to criticize, to ostracize a church or its people because they do not worship on the same mount that we do? God is not confined to temples made with hands. He is everywhere. The true worshipers are those who worship Him in sincerity and in truth,
In all things doubtful there should be tolerance, in essential things unity, and in all things charity. This was the Master's spirit, teaching, and life. This is why his teachings have such a grip on the hearts and minds of earnest men today. He rebuked his disciples for having forbid den one who, although he was casting out devils in Jesus' name, followed not with them, and said, "Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." What a rebuke to those of his day, and since, who thought that all truth and goodness belonged to their little creed and faith, when he said: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." These words should be written over every pulpit and church, and the spirit underlying them should be emphasized and practised.
There is enough evil, enough selfishness and unkindness and greed and hatred and jealousy to be cast out to keep all of us busy, and to do this work is much better than quibbling about articles of faith and forms of worship. I fail to see why this church should be made the target for so much bitterness, denunciation, and ostracism on the part of any church, sect, or party. That it has met the needs of thousands and made them better men and women is evident to all unbiased minds. The tree is to be judged by its fruit. It represents the culture and wealth of every community where it has established itself. Its crowded temples, among the most beautiful in the land, and its mid-week meetings are a standing rebuke to its crities. Its teachings are recognized by thousands in all churches. It is doing what the church did for three centuries after Christ's resurrection, and which he commissioned his people and church to do in all ages.
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November 18, 1916 issue
View Issue-
Man's Life Secure
SAMUEL GREENWOOD
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Giving
EDNA MILLER RUGH
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Our Daily Study
MARGARETTE J. ROOT
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No Limitation in Mind
JOSEPH G. ALDEN
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Loneliness
MARGARET ALLISON KENDRICK
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Memory
WALTER C. LANYON
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Taking God at His Word
OLIVIA E. G. STRATHERN
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It is not often that an editor declares himself to be against...
Judge Clifford P. Smith
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Church councils and not God have formulated the creeds of...
J. Lawrence Hill
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There is no disposition to evade the responsibility which...
Carl E. Herring
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Putting on the Armor
Archibald McLellan
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"Likeness"
Annie M. Knott
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Courage of Our Convictions
William D. McCrackan
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The Lectures
with contributions from J. S. Braithwaite, Charles F. Hutson, W. Z. Searle, E. W. Evenson, Katherine English, Arthur P. De Camp
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Ten years ago I was persuaded to visit a Christian Science...
James P. Eilenberger
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Over nine years ago I read Christian Science literature...
Alice J. Gittings
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Fifteen years ago I was looking in every direction but the...
Vivia Harvey Schuster with contributions from Jacob M. Schuster
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It is impossible to describe in words the blessed influence...
Ilona Manninger
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I was led to study Christian Science through a healing I...
Jennie E. Pierce
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I have been interested in Christian Science for some time,...
Laura Burckel McDowell
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In the Bible we read that as Paul journeyed in Athens he...
Etta Randall Gilbert
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For a long time it has seemed to me that I ought to tell...
Maurice K. G. Smith
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It is only about two years since I took up the study of...
Marie E. Lundin
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In 1904 I first became a student of Christian Science
Florence V. Bookwalter
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It is several years since through the instrumentality of a...
James Stephen Currier
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From Our Exchanges
with contributions from A. E. Whitman, W. Fuller Gooch